The Day I Lost My Professional Edge (Again)

So here I am, a well-respected professor in my late 50s, teaching classes on ethical leadership and corporate governance. And as if it wasn't enough that the kids laugh when I mention social media, now I've got a whole other reason to feel out of touch. A mommy kink thing, if you can believe it. See, there was this student, let's call her Jane for anonymity's sake, though she'd probably rather be called 'Baby' or something equally ridiculous at the moment, who started coming into my office a few times last semester. Not just for help with class material either; she had this weird fascination with me as an authority figure. As in, she wanted to submit and obey and all sorts of nonsense I'd always thought was fiction. At first, it seemed harmless enough. She'd ask about rules and guidelines, what a teacher's expectations were. Then one day after class, she handed me a little note asking if we could meet at her place instead, something about needing someone to help her figure out life stuff. I tried to stay professional but there was this part of me that couldn't resist the idea of being 'in charge'. You know, just for fun. So, I ended up at her apartment one night last week after we'd exchanged a few more emails. She had a cute little outfit laid out, I guess she called it her 'baby-girl' ensemble and insisted I wear something formal to represent my authority. And that's when the gloves came off... or should I say, the blindfold went on? She wanted me to be strict with her, issue punishments if she made mistakes in a mock scenario we set up together about handling personal finances responsibly (yes, really). It was incredibly detailed, involving verbal commands and physical discipline, all consensual of course. By some twisted logic, it actually helped us both understand the role of authority better. I ended up walking out feeling like I'd learned something practical but also a bit dizzy from how surreal everything felt. Who knew that decades into my career I would end up in this kind of situation? It's not exactly what I signed up for when I decided to become an academic, but it was oddly satisfying. Now if only I could figure out how to turn it into a study on human psychology instead of just personal indulgence. Anyways, here’s to unexpected turns and the strange ways people find connection and meaning in their lives.